314Syllabus.html

My office is in H. L. Griffin Hall, rm. 563. My office hours are MW 12:00-1:30 and 3:00-4:00,TR 12:00-2:30, and F 12:00-12:30. We can also meet at other times by arrangement - just ask. My office phone no. is 482-6806. You can also contact me (or ask questions) by e-mail at keithk@louisiana.edu.

2. John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism, ed. by Roger Crisp, (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1998).

There will be two exams during the semester, each worth 20% of your course grade, a cumulative final exam worth 25% of your course grade, and a paper done in successive drafts, the first draft being worth 10% of your course grade and the final draft being worth 25% of your course grade. The in-class exams will consist primarily of short answer and multiple choice questions. However, all make-up exams will be primarily long-essay. The exams will cover both lectures and assigned readings (material in lectures and assigned readings will not always overlap). All exams are closed book/closed note. The paper must be at least 8 - 10 pages in length, and will be described in more detail on a separate handout.
The course grades will initially be determined according to the standard scale, i.e., 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, 59% and below = F, and then may be modified as follows: Course grades might be curved, but, if so, the curve would not be such that any student's grade is lowered. Such factors as improvement over the length of the course, class participation, attendance, etc., may be taken into consideration, especially where doing so may improve a borderline grade. You must complete all course assignments (namely all exams and both drafts of the paper) to receive a passing grade (i.e., a grade other than F, NC or U).

I strongly recommend taking advantage of the following resources!
The home page for this class contains links to an on-line syllabus (which contains numerous links to home pages of authors we'll be reading, readings available on-line, etc.), and links other resources you will find helpful. The web address is: http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~kak7409/314Home.html.
My How To Survive Your First Philosophy Course pages contain useful information about what I look for when grading papers, how to study for my exams, reading philosophy, taking notes, doing research in philosophy, etc. The web address is: http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~kak7409/Survival.html.
My home page contains links to all my course home pages, extensive links pages on philosophy, general research, fun sites, and lots of other information. The web address is: http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~kak7409.

If you miss class, for whatever reason, it is your responsibility to get class notes from another student. If you miss an assignment due date, you must notify me within one week of either the due date of the assignment or the cessation of a medically documented persistent vegetative state in order to make up the assignment. Missed exams or other assignments can be made up for full credit only if an appropriate excuse, e.g., illness requiring medical attention, participation in certain official university events, etc., is provided. An unexcused late assignment will be dropped 2/3 of a letter grade per day it is late. If you have a disability and require assistance with fulfilling class assignments, don't hesitate to notify the instructor and the Office for Services to Students with Disabilities at 482-5252. Finally, be sure you are familiar with all university policies described in the UL Undergraduate Bulletin. All assignments for this class must be completed individually (i.e., without the help of anyone except the instructor), and any instance of academic dishonesty on any assignment will be sufficient to fail the course.

A map of this floor is posted near the elevator marking the evacuation route and the Designated Rescue Area. This is an area where emergency service personnel will go first to look for individuals who need assistance in exiting the building. Students who may need assistance should identify themselves to the teaching faculty.

You should complete each of the readings before they are discussed in class. Some of the readings are difficult, and you may find that you need to re-read them after they have been gone over in class in order to fully understand them.

*NOTE: All planned topics, readings and assignments are tentative and may be altered or deleted.

(MT) = Moral Theory, by Mark Timmons
(CP) = Course Pack
(U) = Utilitarianism, ed. by Roger Crisp
(G) = Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, ed. by Hill and Zweig

Monday, September 4 - Labor Day - No Classes

II. Normative Ethical Theories

Thursday And Friday, November 23-24: Thanksgiving Holiday, No Classes.

LAST DAY OF CLASSES: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1

STUDY DAY: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6

FINAL EXAM: FRIDAY, DEC. 8, FROM 10:15 AM - 12:45 PM, IN REGULAR CLASSROOM

Some Helpful Tips:
1. On class evaluations, students often state that they would tell friends planning to take this class that good class attendance and good class notes are essential to doing well on the exams.
2. Keep up with the readings - they further explain and help you to remember the issues you'll be tested on.
3. If you're having trouble understanding course material, do not hesitate to discuss it with the instructor!